Welcome to the MBK Blog

Have Americans Found the Fountain of Youth?

According to the 2010 Census, the United States currently has the greatest number of known centenarians (a person who lives to or beyond the age of 100) of any nation with 53,364. At MBK Senior Living, we know a good number of them personally, since they call our communities home. In fact, at our Welbrook Arlington community in Riverside, California, seven of our residents are 100 or more years of age—and two recently celebrated their 107th birthday.

So, are Americans sipping from the fountain of youth? Or have they identified key elements in maintaining health and wellness that factor into longevity? While there are a number of factors that play a role, here is what we consider major influences on living a long, healthy life.

Wellness-Centered Living: Today, wellness has become a way of life—not just a fad. More than simply eating a balanced diet and staying active, wellness now embraces a much larger spectrum to include social, emotional, environmental, physical, occupational, spiritual and intellectual health.

At MBK Senior Living communities, we whole-heartedly embrace this comprehensive focus on wellness, and support it through our signature MBKonnections program. Building on the substantial body of scientific research illuminating the mind-body connection to health and well-being, MBKonnections provides residents the opportunity to choose from a number of activities, classes and programs that enrich the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Finding Purpose: While it’s no surprise that leading a healthy lifestyle lends to longevity, recent studies found that living a purpose-driven life also plays a key role. In fact, a study by the National Institute on Aging found that adults with a greater sense of purpose were more likely to outlive their peers.

While everyone’s sense of purpose differs, MBK Senior Living encourages engagement and purposeful living through the company’s “Yoi Shigoto” program. The Japanese term for “the good work,” Yoi Shigoto represents selfless endeavors that strive to make a difference in the lives of our residents, associates, and the community around us. From donating hand-knitted blankets and caps for newborns, to visiting disabled vets and providing much needed supplies to raising funds to support research and awareness of cancer and Alzheimer’s to donating clothing and blankets to homeless shelters—MBK residents and associates are finding purpose and making an impact.

Supportive Environment, Low-Maintenance Living: Where you live is just as important is how you live when it comes to longevity. While keeping the family home where you raised your kids may be sentimental, it can also increase stress and financial burdens on seniors. Those who opt to downsize their homes often enjoy lower cost of living, increased flexibility, and freedom from the burden of maintaining large homes. In addition, those who move to senior living communities, benefit from the bevy of amenities, services and new social connections that are available just steps from their front door. Plus, with onsite healthcare staff, seniors find greater peace of mind in the fact that should a need arise they have easy access to supportive care services.